Classic SNL Review: November 12, 1988: Demi Moore / Johnny Clegg & Savuka (S14E05)
RATINGS SYSTEM:
***** - Classic
**** - Great
*** - Good/Average
** - Meh
* - Awful
OPENING: BUSH AD
George Bush (Dana Carvey) had to use up his campaign’s surplus funds, so they went to one final commercial to impugn Michael Dukakis.
A very quick, very efficient opening. Carvey’s Bush is still a fair bit more low-key than later on, but pretty close to his final form. The over the top introduction and final campaign ad are both hilarious, especially the latter’s emphasis on the state of Boston Harbor and the scary echo on “Jimmy Carter…Carter…Carter…”
Kirsten Dunst appears as one of Bush’s grandchildren; she’s the curly-haired blonde girl. Dunst would point this out in her monologue when she hosted in May 2002.
Written by Robert Smigel, John Bowman, and Jim Downey.
Rerun alterations: Audience noise mixed lower duuring pretaped segments. A few seconds of footage trimmed right before the negative ad begins.
*** 1/2
MONTAGE
The SNL Band has a new photo that includes T-Bone Wolk and Earl Gardner, who were absent from the premiere.
MONOLOGUE
Demi Moore discusses how she was eager to rise to the challenge of hosting SNL just 12 weeks after giving birth.
A pretty straightforward monologue; not really a whole lot of comedic meat to it aside from the repeated mentions of giving birth 12 weeks ago, but Moore did fine. I do get a kick out of how she quickly runs onto the stage at the beginning.
Moore actually celebrated her 26th birthday the day before this show aired.
Rerun alterations: Blue tint removed from picture after it cuts from the montage to the studio.
** 1/2
COMMERCIAL: NEUBERG’S BLEU CHEESE COOLER
People can’t agree on how it tastes, but they all agree on how it smells.
A riff on the Miller Lite commercials, but for an absolutely ridiculous product that “one out of two people can handle”. The shot of the cooler with chunks of cheese being poured gets a great reaction from the audience, and Kevin Nealon’s grimace after he smells the bottle is perfect.
Rerun alterations: Audience noise mixed lower.
****
SKETCH: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Vincent (Phil Hartman) and Catherine (Jan Hooks) try to set up his awkward cousin Bartholomew (Jon Lovitz) on a double date.
Parodying the late 80s CBS series with Ron Perlman and Linda Hamilton, the makeup department does an exceptionally good job here. Nice job mining humor from the contrast between the deeply romantic things Vincent and Catherine tell each other and Bartholomew’s attempts at making conversation with his date (Demi Moore).
Written by Greg Daniels and Conan O’Brien.
Rerun alterations: Laughter after “tonight’s episode” announcement mixed lower. Rerun has Businessman’s Chatter Line and 12:45 band shot with Bruce Willis originally after travel agents; logo animation is yellow and the picture shrinks for the next week bumper.
*** 1/2
SKETCH: CAMPING TRIP
Hans (Dana Carvey) and Franz (Kevin Nealon) contemplate the muscles of the universe under the stars.
A welcome (literal) change of scenery for these characters; it’s fun to see them outside the confines of their show (them bringing the Arnold Schwarzenegger cutouts along with them was a nice touch), and I enjoyed their ponderings and how they worked the clap into “get…some rest”.
Written by Jim Downey, Kevin Nealon, and Dana Carvey.
Rerun alterations: Audience noise mixed quieter. Rerun stays on wide shot for most of Franken’s scene instead of switching to closeups.
*** 1/2
BAND SHOT
SHOW: THE WORLD OF DR. KNOW-IT-ALL
Dr. Know-It-All (Phil Hartman) explains air pressure to Tommy (Dana Carvey) and Becky (Demi Moore) using a gerbil and a fish.
A bit of a lost classic and a great example of Phil Hartman’s skill at playing seemingly normal authority figures who teach questionable things to his protégés, with demonstrations including sucking a gerbil into a vacuum cleaner and leaving a fish out of water too long, not to mention “Becky is wrong because she’s a girl, and this is science.”
I love the randomness of the “we talked too…” “Talked to God?” line.
Written by Bonnie and Terry Turner.
Rerun alterations: Hartman explaining the reason his planet display looks better than Carvey’s is replaced with dress rehearsal.
**** 1/2
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE: “I CALL YOUR NAME”
An upbeat tune from multi-racial South African band Johnny Clegg & Savuka’s second album Shadow Man, featuring Clegg’s concertina, saxophone solos from Keith Hutchinson, a mix of English lead and Zulu backing lyrics, as well as a dance break with Clegg and backing vocalist Mandisa Dlanga.
Rerun alterations: Audio remixed; saxophone is much clearer.
WEEKEND UPDATE
Opening music: “Sunshine Of Your Love” by Cream.
Best jokes: Lack of discussion of the issues, Dan Quayle, New York Marathon runner.
Dennis Miller has some good post-election stuff here, including a callback to jokes made earlier in the season, as well as a revised order of succession (one of the few scrolling list bits that works), and another update on the polar whale saga.
Miller has a satellite interview with recently indicted deposed Philippines first lady Imelda Marcos (Nora Dunn), who believes herself to be a prisoner living in exile in Hawaii because she can’t party like she used to. Some funny lines (particularly Imelda’s “They are not that big!” when Miller calls her out for the purchase of three large buildings), and despite the problematic aspect, Dunn was well cast.
Victoria Jackson reports on the rising stress of baby boomers and advises them to “Dance Your Chronic Depression Away”, doing so on top of the newsdesk; this is anther charming bit that includes a little bit of fun interplay with Miller, who at one point hands her a $5 bill.
Rerun alterations: Audio remixed during Victoria Jackson’s segment.
*** 1/2
SKETCH: ONE MAN’S DEMONS
Tightly-wound Dan (Phil Hartman) hears voices in his head (Jon Lovitz and Dana Carvey) that give him good advice.
A little thin writing-wise, but the taunts from Lovitz and Carvey are funny (particularly the encouragement to get frisky including a reminder to “brush your teeth”) and the twist with the family recognizing that Hartman’s thoughtfulness was a sign that something was wrong was good.
Written by George Meyer.
Rerun alterations: Victoria Jackson’s entrance replaced with dress to remove a line flub. Slight edit when Demi Moore says “no wonder it’s chilly in here.” Live show has band playing under bumper photo of Moore; rerun uses band shot originally after Beauty and the Beast (blue logo in live, yellow in rerun).
***
SKETCH: DON’T MOVE
Mike (Kevin Nealon) repeatedly insists that his wife (Demi Moore) remain still as he ineptly tries to kill the rattlesnake next to her.
Another incompetent but undaunted Nealon character, something he does exceedingly well; he has some pretty good lines, particularly when he tries to reassure Moore (“He’s gotten slower, have you noticed that?”)
Written by Jack Handey.
Rerun alterations: Most of the sketch is replaced with dress rehearsal after Nealon tells Moore “Well, it’s not built yet”. The dress version has a few beats not included in the live show, including Moore telling Nealon that he shot her in the elbow, as well as Nealon asking Moore to pick up the knife and give it back to him so he can try a second time; the second knife throw and Nealon firing his gun at the snake after Moore tosses it are from live. Band shot (“Jungle Boogie”) removed.
*** 1/2
SKETCH: DELIVERY
During a rainstorm, Bob (Dana Carvey) and his friends give grocery deliverer Lou (Nora Dunn) a lesson in how to play gin rummy.
An odd sketch; I can appreciate the low-key, slice-of-life vibe it was going for but it didn’t seem to work for the audience. Good character work from Dunn as the slightly intellectually disabled Lou; the anecdotes she tells make her a fair bit more fleshed-out as a person than the caricatures that the show would occasionally have.
Written by Nora Dunn.
Rerun alterations: Full sketch replaced with dress rehearsal.
***
SKETCH: TRAVEL AGENTS
Travel agents (Demi Moore and Kevin Nealon) recommend that a couple (Dana Carvey and Jan Hooks) do exactly what they did on their own honeymoon.
Great characterizations from Nealon and especially Moore here; this sketch is mostly carried by their performance, as well as Jan Hooks starting to join their chatter.
This sketch was removed from the repeat version and replaced with the third installment of Tom Schiller’s Broadway Story serial.
Written by Kevin Nealon.
***
BAND SHOT
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE: “TAKE MY HEART AWAY”
Clegg swaps his concertina for a guitar for his second number; the sound reminds me a little of some of the tracks from Paul Simon’s Graceland. Some very nice lyrical imagery as well.
Rerun alterations: Audio remixed; alternate camera angle used during first verse to remove camera blocking the shot of Clegg in close-up.
COMMERCIAL: BUSINESSMAN’S CHATTER LINE
The party line for the lonely businessman looking to connect.
Short and silly For some reason, I always crack up at Phil Hartman’s delivery when he excitedly talks about suit colors, commuting and golf; it also reminds me a little of him playing Giant Businessman in the previous season (another Handey piece). The “No non-businessmen, please; crank calls will be prosecuted” disclaimer was a good ending.
Written by Jack Handey.
Rerun alterations: Small cut before chat line logo appears on screen.
*** 1/2
GOODNIGHTS
Demi Moore says it has been one of the most exciting weeks of her life, thanks the cast and crew, and says that “life is good”.
Don Pardo says that next week’s show with John Lithgow and Tracy Chapman is “a show I don’t want to miss, but then I never miss a show!”
Rerun alterations: Don Pardo voiceover removed.
Final thoughts: A pretty solid show, even if it doesn’t reach the same heights as the last two episodes. While mostly playing straight roles, Demi Moore held her own as a host, and managed to display some surprising chops in Travel Agents. It felt like the writers were also interested in doing some new things this week, including a format-breaking Hans & Franz appearance and a quiet slice-of-life piece.
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:
The World Of Dr. Know-It-All
Neuberg’s Bleu Cheese Cooler
Don’t Move
Beauty and the Beast
Businessman’s Chatter Line
Bush Ad
Camping Trip
Weekend Update
SHOW LOWLIGHTS:
(none)
MVP:
Phil Hartman
CAST & GUEST BREAKDOWN:
cast
Dana Carvey: 7 appearances [Bush Ad, Camping Trip, The World Of Dr. Know-It-All, One Man’s Demons, Delivery, Travel Agents, Businessman’s Chatter Line]
Nora Dunn: 2 appearances [Weekend Update, Delivery]
Phil Hartman: 5 appearances [Beauty and the Beast, The World Of Dr. Know-It-All, One Man’s Demons, Delivery, Businessman’s Chatter Line]
Jan Hooks: 2 appearances [Beauty and the Beast, Travel Agents]
Victoria Jackson: 2 appearances [Weekend Update, One Man’s Demons]
Jon Lovitz: 4 appearances [Beauty and the Beast, One Man’s Demons, Delivery, Businessman’s Chatter Line]
Dennis Miller: 1 appearance [Weekend Update]
Kevin Nealon: 6 appearances [Neuberg’s Bleu Cheese Cooler, Camping Trip, One Man’s Demons, Don’t Move, Travel Agents, Businessman’s Chatter Line]; 2 voiceovers [Beauty and the Beast, The World Of Dr. Know-It-All]
featured players
Al Franken: 1 appearance [Camping Trip]
crew, bit players, and extras
Kirsten Dunst: 1 appearance [Bush Ad]
John Henry Kurtz: 2 voiceovers [Bush Ad, Businessman’s Chatter Line]
Don Pardo: 1 voiceover [The World Of Doctor Know-It-All]
guests
Demi Moore: 6 appearances [Monologue, Beauty and the Beast, The World Of Dr. Know-It-All, One Man’s Demons, Don’t Move, Travel Agents]
Johnny Clegg & Savuka: 2 appearances [“I Call Your Name”, “Take My Heart Away”]
Bruce Willis: 2 appearances [two Band Shots]
REBROADCAST HISTORY:
June 3, 1989
Known alterations:
Travel Agents removed
Broadway Story, Part 3 added
Edits: Bush Ad, One Man’s Demons, Businessman’s Chatter Line
Dress substitutions: The World Of Dr. Know-It-All (part), One Man’s Demons (part), Don’t Move (part), Delivery (full sketch)
Directorial changes: Camping Trip
Audio remixing:
Repeat-only material:
FILM: “BROADWAY STORY, PART 3: PHIBES’ INFERNAL MACHINE” - TOM SCHILLER
After rival theatrical producer Tristan Phibes (Dennis Miller) destroys his theatre, Lionel Belmont (Jon Lovitz) seeks revenge.
The first two Broadway Story segments appeared in March’s Mary Tyler Moore episode and April’s Dolly Parton double-duty show; it’s a little hard to review this out of order because the first two segments provide a bit more background on who everyone is, though there is enough of a recap at the beginning for this to make sense. Because this aired after the season ends, Mike Myers is one of the performers.
Schiller really nails the look and sound of these scratchy 1930s film serials, and a lot of the strength of this piece comes from this and the actors playing these old-timey characters: Phil Hartman is particularly good at this, especially when he keeps pawing Victoria Jackson’s character.
Odd observation: the introduction says it’s “a serial in twelve chapters”, with this being the third, but the preview for the end is for the final chapter (“Olive of Death”).
*** 1/2
Additional screen captures from this episode are available here.